Pre-purchase inspection at a private sale — how it works
Private sales carry more risk and less buyer protection than dealer sales. A pre-purchase inspection is where you level the playing field.
- Reviewed by
- NSW Pink Slip Review Panel
- Published
- 1 March 2026
- Read time
- 3 min
Private sale prices are usually lower than dealer prices — but you lose statutory warranties and the seller's obligation to disclose material defects. A $280 inspection is what buys back some of that safety margin.
The pre-inspection conversation
Ask the seller: 'Are you comfortable with me having an independent inspector look at the car before I commit?' A confident private seller says yes without pause. Anyone who won't allow it is telling you why the price looks good.
Deposit and hold
Do not pay a full deposit before the inspection. A small holding deposit ($200–500) is reasonable, refundable if the inspection reveals material issues. Get the agreement in writing — a text message is fine, just make it explicit.
The inspection day
We arrive at the seller's driveway, run the 90-point check in about 60–90 minutes, and give you the report on the spot. If you're happy, you complete the sale. If not, you walk away with your deposit and the report.
Frequently asked.
- Should the seller be present?
- Usually yes — the seller has the keys and access. But we run the inspection independently; the seller doesn't influence the report.
- What if the car is at a workplace?
- Fine. We inspect wherever the car is legally parked, subject to access.
About the author
NSW Pink Slip — Lead Inspection Team
Lead AIS-Authorised eSafety Inspector · 18+ years
Our lead inspection team is Transport for NSW-authorised under the Authorised Inspection Scheme (AIS) to issue eSafety Checks (pink slips) for light vehicles up to 4.5t. Combined 18+ years of hands-on Sydney workshop experience — starting in general repair, moving through diagnostic specialisation on European and Japanese platforms, and settling into full-time mobile inspection since 2019. Every article on this site is authored or reviewed by a currently-authorised AIS examiner. If we can't verify a claim against a Transport for NSW or Service NSW source, it doesn't ship.
- ✓Transport for NSW authorised AIS examiner
- ✓Cert IV in Automotive Mechanical Diagnosis
- ✓Cert III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
- ✓Cert III in Automotive Electrical Technology
- ✓Working with Children Check (WWC) verified
Reviewed by NSW Pink Slip Review Panel — Reviews every technical article for accuracy against current Transport for NSW rules, AIS inspector guidelines and manufacturer service data.
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